Business

Harsha speaks as a serious economist in SJB politics

Published

3 years ago

2023/12/25

Thilina Walpola

Dr.Harsha de Silva, M.P.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Airing candid views on the state of Sri Lanka’s ailing economy, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told the media recently that he would rather go home having told the truth to the people than tell fancy lies to grab political power and push the economy and the people’s lives into a greater abyss.

Making comments that would serve more or less as public opinion guidance, the SJB economist went on to say,” Today we are in a very grave situation. On the one hand, the policy action the government has taken to increase its revenue has put enormous pressure on the people. On the other hand, if the country doesn’t increase its tax revenue, the EFF programme Sri Lanka has agreed with IMF to achieve fiscal sustainability over time may collapse. In such an event, when we can’t manage on our own, who would step in to lend a hand and pull us through?”

“Some people say that we can get the issues resolved through the help of ‘Country A’ or ‘Country B’. But it is justifiable to ask whether that ‘Country A’ or ‘Country B’ would step in to help us if we fall into an economic abyss that we dig for ourselves”.

“Now an election is looming over us and the people may like to hear exciting legends. They would be hearing some sections say that ‘we don’t need help from the IMF because there is another way to raise revenue without imposing taxes. Or they may say they can bring in stolen public wealth worth USD 50-60 billion hidden by politicians in overseas safe havens, and use those funds to resuscitate the economy.

Or they would say that national assets are a treasured legacy of the nation and they needn’t be restructured for productivity. Further they would say any international trade and economic collaboration agreements would take the people’s jobs away and the country would be deprived of its economic potential. They may say that they have a programme through which they can create a better future for the people. I think those stories would only be believable to people who don’t understand any ground realities at all.”

“So what we need to decide at this point is; as different political parties, do we speak the truth to the people so that we can all unite and overcome the crisis or do we tell lies to the people again and show magic only to win the election and put the country in greater abyss? In such an eventuality, the country would be smashed to smithereens within 3-months leading to murder and mayhem on the roads. Or do we unite and work together like the tiny birds that shed the cruel hunter’s net by taking flight together as one?”

Concluding his more pragmatic narrative as the election year is just about to dawn, he noted, “At a moment the country must act in a highly responsible manner, are the alternative political forces doing the right thing? That’s an open question for all of us to ponder over. As a member of the SJB’s economic committee, I am not prepared to relate far-fetched fancy stories to the people.

I wouldn’t say to the people that there is a way out of this crisis without economic reforms, without restructuring or without modernizing the outdated ways of our handling the economy. For me, it would be better to go home having told the truth to the people instead of deceiving and making the life even more miserable for millions of people putting them in their death throes.”

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Business

Sri Lanka secures 10% US tariff rate: JAAF thanks the President and government for decisive action

Published

20 hours ago

2026/07/25

Thilina Walpola

Today’s announcement by USTR of the finality of the Section 301 investigations into countries’ ability to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour sees 18 countries placed on a 10% tariff, with the balance of 42 countries facing a 12.5% tariff.

Initial indications were that Sri Lanka would fall into the 12.5% category, a position that would have placed the country at a real disadvantage against a number of key competitor nations.

Following Sri Lanka’s submissions to the USTR earlier this month, JAAF is pleased to see that Sri Lanka is now among the countries placed on the 10% tariff rate, on par with competitors including Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Cambodia.

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry competes in a crowded field, and even a 2.5 percentage point difference in tariff treatment can be the difference between winning and losing an order to a rival sourcing destination. Securing parity with Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Cambodia protects the competitiveness of an industry that remains the country’s largest export earner and a major source of employment, particularly for women, across the country.

JAAF recognises that this result did not happen by chance. It reflects sustained, coordinated engagement between industry and government at every level, from the submissions made to USTR to the direct representations carried out in Washington. We view this as a strong example of what can be achieved when the private sector and government work in close partnership on issues that directly affect Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness.

We remain committed to continuing this collaboration, both to safeguard the gains secured on Thursday and to ensure Sri Lanka’s apparel and textile industry is well positioned to compete on a level playing field internationally.

Business

CAHM students shine at National Bartenders Competition and Dainties 2026

Published

20 hours ago

2026/07/25

Thilina Walpola

Students of the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) at SLIIT once again demonstrated their talent, creativity, and professional excellence by securing outstanding achievements at two prestigious national hospitality competitions held recently in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) is Sri Lanka’s leading private hospitality education institute, established in 2013 and located at the SLIIT Main Campus in Malabe. Renowned for delivering internationally recognised qualifications in partnership with the William Angliss Institute (RTO 3045), Australia—the Australian Government’s specialist hospitality education institute and the country’s leading provider of hospitality, tourism, foods and events education—CAHM offers Australian-standard vocational qualifications that combine international best practices with hands-on practical training and strong industry relevance, enabling graduates to pursue rewarding careers around the world.

At the 31st National Bartenders Competition (NBC), organized by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) in partnership with International Distillers Limited (IDL), CAHM student Anurasi Chandrasoma (Commercial Cookery Batch 22) emerged as the Winner in the highly competitive Hotel School Category. The competition, held on 26 May 2026 at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM), Colombo, attracted more than 75 participants from hospitality education institutions across the country.

Representing CAHM alongside the winner were Dishala Gunawardhana (Hospitality Management Batch 37), Sunera Sathindu (Commercial Cookery Batch 21), and Devindu Amarasekara (Patisserie Batch 11), all of whom showcased exceptional bartending skills and professionalism. The achievement marks another significant milestone for CAHM, reinforcing its reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality education institutions.

Business

Asia-Pacific business leaders to convene in Sri Lanka for UN Global Compact’s flagship regional event

Published

20 hours ago

2026/07/25

Thilina Walpola

Asia-Pacific stands at the forefront of one of the defining transitions of our time. Home to many of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the region is also confronting some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to widening inequalities, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological transformation. As these challenges reshape the global business landscape, businesses are increasingly being called upon not only to respond, but to lead.

Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka will host Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026: Driving Business Leadership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, the United Nations Global Compact’s flagship regional event for Asia-Pacific. Bringing together more than 200 business leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, representatives from the United Nations and UN Global Compact Country Networks from across the region, the two-day event will provide a platform to strengthen partnerships, exchange practical solutions and mobilize business leadership in support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Led by the UN Global Compact Asia-Pacific Regional Hub and hosted in collaboration with UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, the regional event reflects a shared commitment to advancing responsible business and strengthening regional collaboration at a time when sustainable development depends on collective leadership and cross-sector cooperation.

The event will welcome Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, whose presence spotlights the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region within the United Nations Global Compact. Her first official visit to Sri Lanka signals the growing role of the region in driving responsible business and sustainable development, while offering participating companies a unique opportunity to engage with global leadership, showcase their sustainability journeys, and help shape the next chapter of collective action towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Alongside Sanda Ojiambo, the Forum will also convene more than 60 global and regional leaders from business, the United Nations and civil society, including Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and Chairman of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, and Sandra Wu, ESG Executive Adviser at Mirait One Corporation, fostering dialogue and collaboration to accelerate business leadership for sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.

Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 also marks an important milestone in advancing the United Nations Global Compact’s 2026–2030 Strategy, which places renewed emphasis on equipping businesses with the knowledge, tools and partnerships needed to accelerate sustainable business transformation, catalyzing collaboration to address shared global challenges, and advancing responsible business leadership as a cornerstone of sustainable development. As one of the first flagship regional events aligned with this strategic direction, the event will help translate global ambition into regional action by connecting leaders, sharing practical experience and fostering the partnerships needed to create lasting impact.

Register Your Interest

Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 11–12 August 2026.

To register your interest or learn more about the event, please contact:

Chamath Kalupahana

Country Focal Point – Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026

Manager – Participant Engagement & Strategic Planning

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka

Email: chamath@unglobalcompact.org.lk